The Dow and S&P finished higher Wednesday, boosted by a batch of upbeat economic reports and optimistic comments from China's new leader, while Apple's sharp drop pushed the Nasdaq into negative territory.

NEW ORLEANS-- McMoRan Exploration Co. said Friday its third-quarter loss swelled to $64 million, hurt by a jump in exploration costs and a drop in oil and gas production stemming for Hurricane Isaac. The New Orleans- based company's loss amounted to 40 cents per share and compared with a loss of $9.4 million, or 6 cents per share, in the same quarter last year.

Stocks closed higher as Citigroup's earnings lifted bank stocks ahead of a cluster of earnings reports this week, including Apple and IBM, which report after the market closes. Bank of America and JPMorgan rose, while Intel and Home Depot fell.